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Huge steppe up for Prophecy Coal after Mongolia approves power plant

TSX-V junior Prophecy Coal was trading up 6% by early afternoon on Thursday after jumping 11% earlier in the day on news that the Mongolian government has given the go-ahead for a power plant at the mouth of its Chandgana mine. Prophecy – which also controls a Yukon platinum explorer – has more than 1.4 billion tonnes of surface minable thermal coal resources at Chandgana and its producing mine Ulaan Ovoo for which it recently signed offtake agreements in Russia. There is renewed interest in Mongolian coal assets and earlier this week an Australia-based firm exploring in the fast-growing country was sold for a 800% profit a mere 18 months after its IPO.

Labrador could lift uranium mining ban

The Inuit government of Labrador says it will review a 2008 moratorium on uranium mining that it brought in to protect the environment, The Winnipeg Free Press reported, with the Nunatsiavut Assembly voting last night to review the legislation imposing the moratorium on mining, production and development of uranium on Inuit lands. The moratorium was imposed on concerns over the environmental effects of uranium mining including low-level emissions produced from tailings. If a government committee recommends that the moratorium be lifted, legislation would be put forward to remove the restriction, says The Free Press. A report is expected by December.

Polish mining stocks gain on tax ruling

Polish stocks are on a tear this week after a top court made a mining-friendly tax ruling. Bloomberg reports that Polish stocks climbed for a second day, with the benchmark index heading for the biggest advance in a week, as coal and copper producers jumped after the Constitutional Tribunal ruling on mining taxes: "The court ruled that mining excavations should not be considered as construction works and should be free of real-estate taxes."

Antimony tops metals and minerals risk list, China controls 50% of 52 critical chemicals

The British Geological Survey (BGS) on Wednesday published the latest list of the 52 elements, minerals and metals most at risk of supply disruption because global production is concentrated in a few countries, many with unstable governments. Surprisingly rare earths used in green technology and defence do not top the list but comes in at number five. Antimony, extracted mainly from stibnite (pictured), widely used for fireproofing is most at risk. The platinum group metals (auto catalysts) hold the second spot while niobium used in touch screens and scanners and tungsten for cutting tools are also at risk of supply disruption as a result of increased competition among the world's growing economies, political instability, resource nationalism, along with events such as strikes and accidents. China is the number one producer of 50% of the 52 chemicals on the list and produces 75% of the world's antimony.

Hathor board rallies the troops against ‘predatory, opportunistic’ bid

Hathor Exploration announced early Wednesday that its board unanimously recommends that shareholders reject Cameco's unsolicited offer for the company calling it 'opportunistic' and 'predatory' coming in the wake of the Fukishima disaster in Japan that sent uranium oxide prices to lows of around $50/pound. Hathor opened down slightly on Wednesday trading at $4.15 versus Cameco's offer of $3.75. Yesterday the company said a preliminary economic assessment of its Roughrider uranium deposit showed it would potentially be one of the lowest cost uranium producers in the world at only $14.44/lb U3O8. The junior uranium explorer has gained about 56% since the offer and 121% since the start of the year. In contrast $8 billion industry bellwether Cameco’s stock has almost halved in 2011.

Hathor buffs Roughrider ahead of new response to Cameco

Junior explorer Hathor Exploration on Tuesday said a preliminary economic assessment of its Roughrider uranium deposit showed it would potentially be one of the lowest cost uranium producers in the world at only $14.44/lb U3O8. The junior uranium company is the target of a hostile bid from world number one uranium miner Cameco and has gained about 56% since the offer and 121% since the start of the year. Hathor believes its worth more than the offer price and said it will formally respond tomorrow (September 14) and urged shareholders to sit tight.

Junior sold for 800% more 18 months after IPO as coal miners go mad for Mongolia

Strong interest in the Mongolian resource sector has provided shareholders in Hunnu Coal a 800% gain in only 18 months. Thailand's Banpu announced Tuesday it is taking over the ASX-listed junior for $400 million or $1.80/share – Hunnu went public in February 2010 at 20c. Hunnu may be the first of many firms with Mongolian coal assets to attract bidders with Ivanhoe Mines' SouthGobi and TSX-V junior Prophecy Coal talked about as likely targets and a way in for smaller investors who are not be able to participate in Tavan Tolgoi's $3 billion IPO slated for next year.